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MNHQ

McDonalds Ads - tell us how do you feel about them folks?

609 replies

JustineMumsnet · 01/03/2011 16:22

Good day MNetters,
We've been asked if we'd host ads for McDonalds, so we thought we'd ask what you think. Would you object to banner ads (ie like the one at the top of the page) on Mumsnet?
Let us know.

OP posts:
slim22 · 08/03/2011 01:07

what shrieking has just highlighted is very OTT

MN can take the site in whichever direction they like even if it disappoints some of us.

I think what many of us are disgruntled about is being used to validate business choices.

Quoting Eleison:

"I think there are two entirely distinct things:
(1) a business owning a talk platform and selling ads; and
(2) a set of talkers. I have never wanted a say in the business, because I have never wanted to pretend that a business can champion me. I only want to ensure that whenever the business claims to talk for the talkers, it does so on very good grounds. "

Himalaya · 08/03/2011 07:17

Glasnost -

I don't usually go in for public displays of pedantry, but since you say you're an English teacher I feel I have to.

Apostrophes are used when there is a contraction with letters missing (don't, i've, there's) but not for common or garden abbreviations. You know this, because you write ad not ad' in your posts -- but when it comes to the plural you added an apostrophe by mistake and then backward engineered a rule.

No apostrophes in docs, specs, autos, prams, regs, abs etc...

Ohforfoxsake · 08/03/2011 10:00

My point isn't aboput JO's opinion on anything, but to make the point that a programme with a high profile sleb had to be made to make parents think about what their children were being fed by the schools, by the catering firms contracted, by LEAs, by the Government. And if we can't trust our children's health with these institutions we're screwed.

AMumInScotland · 08/03/2011 10:04

Glasnost - do you still reckon you're being polite on these threads? "Nothing as long as they don't expect intelligent posters to make up their demographic any longer."? So anyone who doesn't have a problem with this is obviously less intelligent than you. But you don't think you're being rude...

LemonDifficult · 08/03/2011 10:12

Mumsnet - Please take the McDs money. They are a good company and do a lot more for farmers in the UK than, say, the supermarkets that 95% of the objector on here will shop in.

The restaurants are clean, they are well priced, the toys are good quality. They pay the staff a proper wage.

If anyone from MacDonalds is reading this then thank you for the v easy treat I'm able to give my DC when I'm skint. And for the balloons.

MilaMae · 08/03/2011 10:12

I think MN is different to other businesses in that what it sells is us,without all of us there would be no ad space to sell.

MN also frequently "speaks" for it's members so I think some baring on members views does need to be taken into consideration.

I still don't get the double standards re Nestle and McD. MN is not here to teach us how to parent so why the Boycott Nestle logo,inviting Mike Brady on to "inform" us of the perils of ff and consulting MB on policy making etc even though the vast maj of mums do use formula at some point. There is also the matter of the Let Girls Be Girls campaign.

There is a childhood obesity problem in this country,junk food plays a huge part in it. Banning Nestle and not McD sends out an awful message ie we care about babies but once they're weaned we don't give a shit. Personally as a nation I feel this attitude is half the reason why obesity is such the problem that it is.

Banning Nestle and taking on McD goes one step further as having banned Nestle a lot of mums are going to think oh I know MN cares about child health due to the Nestle ban so McD and junk food are obviously absolutely fine.

It's double standards and I think you need to sing from the same hymn sheet.

LemonDifficult · 08/03/2011 10:16

MacDonalds does not make children obese. Or malnourished.

Parents do. And MN isn't here to tell you how to be a parent.

Though LemonDifficult is willing to step in with some strong opinions wherever needed...

Ohforfoxsake · 08/03/2011 10:21

Lemon, you are right. It's a meal, its a toy and its cheap so what's not to like? I can see the sense there, I really can. But what bothers me - and what Macd's and all the other fast food companies have latched on to - is that they exploit this. They keep their prices down, they give a not half bad toy, but to perpetuate the notion that junk food is a treat is damaging to future generations.

And from my own experience of being rewarded with food I know this too well. Like so, so many who have been overweight and on diets, it goes back to childhood.

I'm not having a go at you Lemon - I see what you are saying and get it - but I think you have raised an important issue.

bibbitybobbityhat · 08/03/2011 10:22

"a lot of mums are going to think oh I know MN cares about child health due to the Nestle ban so McD and junk food are obviously absolutely fine"

Sorry Mila but I just think this is utter balderdash.

Ohforfoxsake · 08/03/2011 10:22

I am stepping away from this now. I'm getting abit too involved. It matters to me. What more can I say?

MilaMae · 08/03/2011 10:26

Why Bibboty?

You've got a Nestle ban logo and a McD ad on the same site. Any visitor is going to think with a Nestle ban that MN "cares" ,is a deep thinking site,ethical if you like.

The same visitor sees the McD ad next to it and are going to think well deep thinking MN must think it's a company worthing of their promotion.

McD will benefit from the Nestle ban.

notcitrus · 08/03/2011 10:40

Personally I don't care as I use Adblock so don't see any banner ads anyway.
But more generally, I don't have that much of a problem with McD UK as they use almost all UK ingredients and do a lot to support UK farmers, according to the NFU. And recycle more and give more to charity than a heck of a lot of companies. This is all down to pressure from UK consumers - the McDs overseas aren't nearly as good. How they put decent stuff into the food and still make it taste shit is a miracle! Grin

So on those grounds I'd have to support McD over many other companies. Does Boden use organic or sustainably-grown fibres? Cotton is one of the most polluting crops there is, but I don't see people complaining about them advertising here (I don't know who else does, thanks to aforementioned adblock)

AMumInScotland · 08/03/2011 10:44

Personally, I don't think the Nestle ban is effective - this "boycott" has been going on for at least 20 years now (to my certain knowledge) and probably longer, and what effect has it had? I reckon all it does is allow us to feel like we're "doing something" about the issue, while not achieving anything in the slightest. If I was the boss of Nestle I'd be sitting back and laughing at it, rather than quaking in my boots.

glasnost · 08/03/2011 10:52

Oh yawn. I didn't wanto post anymore on this subject but it's hard to resist. I've come to realise my opinion is affected hugely by the fact I live in a country where there are very few McD's as a matter of principle and due to resistance, campaigns etc. In a country where food is king and obesity isn't as problematic as in the UK. So all this has definately coloured my views.

However, it still stands that MN will have no credibility if they take the McDollar AND boycott Nestle simultaneoulsy. It smacks of utter hypocrisy.

And frankly I found the founder of MN's justifications yesterday very poor and glib.

I've noticed these double standards in posters themselves and how it's fine for those in the vociferous majority to say anti McD's posts are "balderdash", "rubbish" etc whereas the accusations of rudeness are then directed at me and I've never said others are talking rubbish - I've just asked for cogent, positive reasons to be FOR these bloody ad's and I haven't read any as of yet. Don't know why I care though as it's quite obvious MN is no longer a place for reasoned debate.

AMumInScotland · 08/03/2011 11:05

I don't think anyone is going to argue for McD's adverts, just against any need to ban them, which is a rather different thing.

NotaMopsa · 08/03/2011 11:15

I anticipate a physical grimace with every refresh of the page - mcdonalds adverts on tv have dp and I rushing for the remote ..

LemonDifficult · 08/03/2011 11:16

Sorry, I'll argue for them. In as much as I don't think they deserve our ire.

In the pantheon of corporate bad behaviour, MacDonalds UK barely charts.

Look they pay properly, respect their staff and customers, keep the place clean, are very family friendly, buy from British farmers, and so on. God, compared to Tesco these guys are saints.

glasnost · 08/03/2011 11:17

That's Orwellian Doublespeak AMum. You'd need damn good reasons to accept them IMO seeing as McD's is such a divisive issue.

glasnost · 08/03/2011 11:21

At least you've the courage of your convictions Lemon and give positive reasons but unfortunately you're a victim of their excellent ad campaigns.

AMumInScotland · 08/03/2011 11:21

So, if it's divisive, those who don't have a problem with the issue automatically have to give way to those who do have a problem with it? What about if it's "divisive" but only 2 people have an issue with it and 999,998 think it's fine? Do all those people automatically have to say "Oh it's a divisive issue, so you 2 can run the place your way to avoid arguments"?

LemonDifficult · 08/03/2011 11:26

I'm not the victim of their excellent ad campaigns.

I'm someone with a close interest in farming in Britain. And a parent. And a customer of MacDonalds.

glasnost · 08/03/2011 11:29

If there were a poll in the UK re. capital punishment the majority would be for it. Is that a good reason to bring it back?

Anyway I'm dubious as to whether the majority of MNetters aren't bothered by McD ad's. They should do a proper poll - not relegate this to site stuff. They've made a HUGE change in their OWN policy. As I've said previously don't be surprised when you see the cosmetic surgery ad's.

MilaMae · 08/03/2011 11:31

Well if nobody is going to argue for (ie doesn't have a burning desire for them),the alleged majority (debatable given that the thread is in site stuff and keeps slipping off active) aren't going to care if it doesn't run and the pitas are strongly arguing against I don't get the need to run it.

Mn isn't going to be bankrupt not running it,it won't lead to fees and the ad space will be easily filled.

By not running it the pitas will be happy and those without a burning desire for an ad will continue to not have a burning desire for an ad. Nobody will be mighty hacked off which won't be the case if it does run-unless there are further issues we're not aware of.

I'm aware the above probably contains masses of bad punctuation but I'm no longer teachingWink.

Maryz · 08/03/2011 11:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

glasnost · 08/03/2011 11:33

OK OK I give up. You're happy for the likes of McD's to eat ya up and spit ya out Lemon et al? Fine. I'm not and my son will never be fed their pseudo food.

But there's every possibility of him being brainwashed into thinking it's acceptable by their ad's appearing here. That's why I'll haveto stop using MN. I post while breastfeeding so he'd start being brainwashed early on!